Living with, beyond and despite of data: The experiences of users and non-users of dietary tracking apps
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2021-10-07
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper draws on an interdisciplinary research project “FoodCoach” aiming to make a research-based contribution to reducing diet-related diseases. The project develops an automated approach for analysing digital purchase data – collected and donated by volunteer users sharing their data collected through Swiss retailers customer loyalty programmes – and makes it available to their individual users in an easily understandable form via a digital app. Computer science and information management scientists, STS researchers and users collaborate in the project dealing with and intervening into the datafication of food consumption and the knowledge produced in the process.
Social science research is being carried out to collect the lived experiences of users and the reservations of non-users towards digital nutrition monitoring and intervention. The data are collected through ethnographic methods, such as participant observations of and informal interviews with the various actors involved in the project and go alongs during food purchasing of users and non-users of self-tracking apps. The aim is to observe and discuss their experiences, practices and attitudes towards the collection, circulation and use of their food and health-related personal data.
Our contribution will present the ways in which users and non-users choose to engage and to not engage with these data in the light of their needs, possibilities, interests and experiences. In analysing what the data means and what can be done with it by the different actors and from different perspectives, our intention is to unfold and discuss the multiple agencements at play in the ‘human-data assemblages’ (Lupton 2018).
Social science research is being carried out to collect the lived experiences of users and the reservations of non-users towards digital nutrition monitoring and intervention. The data are collected through ethnographic methods, such as participant observations of and informal interviews with the various actors involved in the project and go alongs during food purchasing of users and non-users of self-tracking apps. The aim is to observe and discuss their experiences, practices and attitudes towards the collection, circulation and use of their food and health-related personal data.
Our contribution will present the ways in which users and non-users choose to engage and to not engage with these data in the light of their needs, possibilities, interests and experiences. In analysing what the data means and what can be done with it by the different actors and from different perspectives, our intention is to unfold and discuss the multiple agencements at play in the ‘human-data assemblages’ (Lupton 2018).
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SHSS - Kulturen, Institutionen, Maerkte (KIM)
Event Title
Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) Annual Meeting 2021
Event Location
Virtual Toronto
Event Date
6 - 9 October 2021
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
265070